Biography
Rose Njoroge, Ph.D. applies her technical expertise in molecular and cellular biology, cancer biology, inflammation, and other biotechnology fields to drafting and prosecuting patent applications. She is also experienced in patentability, freedom to operate, and validity searches, and patent portfolio management.
Her interest in science was sparked from an early age by her late father who loved biology and worked for Kenya’s Ministry of Natural Resources as a forester. Exposure to molecular biology and microbial pathogenesis in food safety during her MSc ignited an interest in the application of molecular biology in biomedical research. She was also curious to explore the business of science and the commercialization of innovations. This led to an internship in technology transfer at Innovation and New Ventures Office (INVO), Northwestern University where she was introduced to various aspects of patent law. Her path to a career at a law firm evolved from there, and she has been excited to work on diverse, cutting-edge innovations.
In her spare time, Rose enjoys science writing, especially on topics relating to public health, playing table tennis or board games, and watching legal dramas.
Education
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Ph.D.)
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Seoul National University (MSc)
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (BSc)
- Food Science and Technology
Representative Experience
Rose is experienced in the following technologies and therapeutic areas:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Metabolic disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Diagnostics and high content imaging
- RNA therapeutics
- Genetic disorders
- Small molecules
- TCR-like antibodies
- Antibody-drug-conjugates
- Antibodies
- Cellular therapies
- mRNA vaccines and LNP formulations
- RNA interference (siRNA, shRNA, ASOs)
- Gene therapies
- CRISPR gene editing
Background and Credentials
Prior to joining Marshall Gerstein, Rose served as a Technical Specialist in the IP Practice Group for an Am Law 200 law firm performing patent due diligence and patent portfolio management within biotechnology & life sciences. She was a post-doctoral researcher at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University where she investigated the molecular similarities between leukocyte diapedesis during the inflammatory response and tumor cell extravasation to determine whether inflammation inhibitors can be used to inhibit tumor metastasis. In graduate school, Rose studied the molecular mechanisms of prostate cancer initiation and discovered metabolic changes that lead to prostate cancer progression. Through Northwestern University's INVO she gained experience in examining patentability of invention disclosures, routes for obtaining IP protection of innovative technologies, and licensing and commercialization potential of diverse life science inventions. She is adept at conducting in-depth reviews of prior art, market research, and competitive landscape assessments. For the US Army Medical Research Unit, Kenya – USAMRU-K, Rose worked in disease surveillance and pathogen discovery with a focus on febrile illnesses and respiratory infections.
Publications and Presentations
- Njoroge RN, et al. (2019) Organoids increase the predictive value of in vitro cancer chemoprevention studies for in vivo outcome. Front. Oncol. 9:77.
- Njoroge RN, et al. (2017) Organoids model distinct Vitamin E effects at different stages of prostate cancer evolution. Sci Rep. 24; 7(1):16285.
- Majanja J, Njoroge RN, et al. (2013) Impact of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus on circulation dynamics of seasonal influenza s trains in Kenya. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 88(5): 940-5.
- Rose N. Njoroge, Eyako K. Wurapa, John N. Waitumbi, Robert F. Breiman, M. Kariuki Njenga 2010. The etiology of febrile illness in patients presenting to Garissa Provincial Hospital in North Eastern Province, Kenya. ASTMH. Dec 2010. Philadelphia, USA.
- Njoroge Rose Nyawira, et al. (2005) Characterization and Application of a Novel Thermostable Glucoamylase Cloned from a Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Sulfolobus tokodaii. Food Sci. Biotechnology. 14(6): 860 – 865.